During Fall 2011, my friend and running partner Tricia Sabatini and I decided to combine our passions, strengths, and experience to launch an innovative non-profit program called Together We Bake. This was my return to the workforce after being a stay at home Mom raising three kids for 12 years at that point. Fortunately, right before my first child was born, I graduated with my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, with a focus on program planning and administration. Tricia had a passion for baking delicious chocolate chip cookies and had a small business for 10 years with a strong local following. It had been a dream of hers to bake in a commercial kitchen and put the proceeds toward a good cause. So, over many conversations and miles logged, we developed Together We Bake, a program to help women in need.Together We Bake is an empowerment-based workforce training and personal development program for women facing barriers to employment. TWB's innovative job training and personal development program revolve around a small baking business in which team members develop the skills and confidence to gain and sustain employment. Team members master skills in commercial food production, food safety and business administration. The program also covers soft skill development through personal empowerment and life skills groups. TWB serves low-income women involved with the criminal justice system, facing long-term unemployment, experiencing homelessness and/or assimilating to America as a recent immigrant. Barriers such as lack of employable skills, low self esteem and employment gaps are addressed through hard and soft skill development, hands-on experience, and psychosocial support. TWB also provides post-program support to TWB alumni through outreach efforts. TWB also holds bi-monthly alumni gatherings to maintain personal connections and provide continued support from the TWB family.www.togetherwebake.orgwww.shop.togetherwebake.orgstephanie@togetherwebake.org